Saeed Ajmal Reported for Illegal Bowling Action by ICC

Pakistan’s leading off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been reported for chucking by the field umpires (during Pakistan’s first test match against Sri Lanka) Ian Gould and Bruce Oxenford along with the match referee Andy Pycroft. Ajmal has been caught with a suspected illegal bowling action during his side’s seven-wicket loss in the first Test match at Galle International Stadium on Sunday.

The officials’ report, was handed over to Pakistan’s former Wicket-Keeper team managerMoin Khan, reported concerns over a many deliveries bowled by Ajmal was considered suspect and concluded that the bowler’s action needed to be tested. Ajmal’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions reported in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Now Ajmal has to undergo testing within 21 days, and during this period, Ajmal is allowed to bowl in international cricket until the results are revealed.

Ajmal was also reported for his bowling action when he played for Worcestershire earlier this season and the appeal was taken back by the ECB to avoid controversy. Law 24.3 in cricket states: “A ball is fairly delivered in respect to the arm if, once the bowler’s arm has reached the level of the shoulder in the delivery swing, the elbow joint is not straightened partially or completely from that point until the ball has left the hand.”

Chucking is called when the elbow plays a significant role during the release of the ball. A straightened elbow will give the bowler the unfair advantage of extra pace than if the ball is delivered with a straight arm. The ICC has set a maximum limit of 15 degrees of flex, which means that no bowler can extend their elbow beyond that limit. Ajmal is believed to flex his elbow beyoned the limit.

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